Welcome to theWelcome to the ““OrientationOrientation for the for the

Field EducationField Education Practicum”Practicum”

•

Roles and Responsibilities of:

- Faculty Field Liaison

- Agency Field Instructor

- Student

Required Field Courses

Safety and Liability Issues in Field

FIELD PLACEMENT ORIENTATION

Requirements of Field Practicum Field Website Field Assignments Learning Plan Grading Policy Challenges Questions

Course RegistrationCourse Registration  

Review The Field Course Number That You Are Registered For To Ensure That You Are In The Appropriate Course

      

If you are not registered for the correct course you will need to complete an add/drop form ASAP; Additionally, you need to be registered in the correct field section with your assigned

Liaison.

BSWBSW MSWMSW

REQUIRED 1REQUIRED 1STST COURSECOURSE

421421 721-Unless student 721-Unless student has an approved has an approved exemption form exemption form

REQUIRED 2REQUIRED 2NDND COURSECOURSE

422422 722722

REQUIRED 3REQUIRED 3RDRD COURSECOURSE

NONENONE 821821

REQUIRED 4REQUIRED 4THTH COURSECOURSE

NONENONE 822822

ELECTIVESELECTIVES 423-requires Liaison 423-requires Liaison approvalapproval

921-requires Liaison 921-requires Liaison approvalapproval

Consecutive Field Consecutive Field PlacementsPlacements

Undergraduate students complete a 2-semester Undergraduate students complete a 2-semester placement in one agencyplacement in one agency

Graduate students Graduate students withoutwithout a 721 exemption a 721 exemption complete two, 2-semester placements, in two complete two, 2-semester placements, in two separate agenciesseparate agencies

Graduate students Graduate students withwith a 721 exemption a 721 exemption complete a 3-semester placement in one agencycomplete a 3-semester placement in one agency

***All placements are completed in consecutive ***All placements are completed in consecutive semesters, semesters, includingincluding the summer semester the summer semester

Required Courses to Take Concurrently Required Courses to Take Concurrently with Field Education Practicumwith Field Education Practicum

All Students registered for Field Education All Students registered for Field Education are required to take a are required to take a Methods Methods Course Course concurrently with their Field Education concurrently with their Field Education Practicum CoursePracticum Course

BSW Students – SW 410; SW 427BSW Students – SW 410; SW 427

MSW Students – SW 709,711,713 or 811 (See MSW Students – SW 709,711,713 or 811 (See your Advisor to ensure that you are in the your Advisor to ensure that you are in the correct Methods course)correct Methods course)

Field Program WebsiteField Program Websitehttp://www.uwm.edu/SSW/NewFieldWork/index.htmhttp://www.uwm.edu/SSW/NewFieldWork/index.htm

MSW ProgramMSW Program Field AgenciesField Agencies

BSW ProgramBSW Program Agency PlacementsAgency Placements

Field ManualField Manual FacultyFaculty

Field AssignmentsField Assignments Student Student OpportunitiesOpportunities

CalendarsCalendars Social Work NewsSocial Work News

FAQ’sFAQ’s Contact UsContact Us

FORMS TO DOWNLOADFORMS TO DOWNLOAD

Field Assignment InstructionsField Assignment Instructions

Learning PlanLearning Plan

EvaluationsEvaluations InstructionsInstructions Self-Evaluation Form for Mid-Term and Self-Evaluation Form for Mid-Term and

FinalFinal

Learning PlanLearning Plan

The The Learning PlanLearning Plan is the agreed upon is the agreed upon plan for the student’s learning plan for the student’s learning experiences for each semester in a experiences for each semester in a field practicum.field practicum.

The student prepares the The student prepares the Learning Learning Plan Plan withwith their Field Instructor. their Field Instructor.

Learning PlanLearning Plan

The The Learning PlanLearning Plan should include the should include the following:following:

Agency responsibilities, duties, and expectations that the Agency responsibilities, duties, and expectations that the student will have throughout each semesterstudent will have throughout each semester

Field Assignments that have been identified that address Field Assignments that have been identified that address the core Learning Objectivesthe core Learning Objectives

The The Learning PlanLearning Plan can be amended by student and Field can be amended by student and Field Instructor as the Learning Objectives evolve or change Instructor as the Learning Objectives evolve or change during each semesterduring each semester

FIELD ASSIGNMENTSFIELD ASSIGNMENTS

Students are required to complete Field Assignments Students are required to complete Field Assignments totaling five points each semestertotaling five points each semester

Students will select Field Assignments from the list of Students will select Field Assignments from the list of Field Assignments on the Field Department websiteField Assignments on the Field Department website

Each Field Assignment is a hot link to the specific Each Field Assignment is a hot link to the specific instructions and point value of the assignmentinstructions and point value of the assignmenthttp://www.uwm.edu/SSW/NewFieldWork/MSW/MSW-Program.htmhttp://www.uwm.edu/SSW/NewFieldWork/MSW/MSW-Program.htm

All Field Assignments have to be related to the specific All Field Assignments have to be related to the specific population served in the field practicum agencypopulation served in the field practicum agency

Instructions for Field Instructions for Field AssignmentsAssignments

Select appropriate Field Assignments in Select appropriate Field Assignments in collaboration with the Field Instructorcollaboration with the Field Instructor

Document Field Assignment selection on Document Field Assignment selection on the the Learning PlanLearning Plan under appropriate under appropriate Learning ObjectiveLearning Objective

Major Field Assignments need prior Major Field Assignments need prior approval from both Field Instructor and approval from both Field Instructor and Field Liaison.Field Liaison.

Complete Field Assignments within required Complete Field Assignments within required time frames – (1/2 by mid-term and the time frames – (1/2 by mid-term and the

remainder remainder beforebefore the end of the semester) the end of the semester)

Follow directions to ensure maximum credit Follow directions to ensure maximum credit for each Field Assignmentfor each Field Assignment

Submit each Field Assignment, along with a Submit each Field Assignment, along with a copy of the Field Assignment description copy of the Field Assignment description from the Field Dept. website, to the Field from the Field Dept. website, to the Field Instructor for review and feedbackInstructor for review and feedback

Review Field Assignments during Review Field Assignments during supervisionsupervision

Field Instructor signs & dates Field Field Instructor signs & dates Field Assignment with corresponding Assignment with corresponding feedback and returns Field Assignment feedback and returns Field Assignment to studentto student

Student submits completed original Student submits completed original copy of Field Assignment along with the copy of Field Assignment along with the assignment description to Field Liaison assignment description to Field Liaison

Field Liaison reviews assignment for Field Liaison reviews assignment for content, quality, relevance, & content, quality, relevance, & appearance appearance

Field Assignments constitute 25% of Field Assignments constitute 25% of the Field Education Course gradethe Field Education Course grade

GradingGradingGrading ComponentGrading Component Percentage of GradePercentage of Grade

Demonstration of social work Demonstration of social work competencies, compliance with competencies, compliance with the NASW Code of Ethics and the NASW Code of Ethics and professional practice standards as professional practice standards as documented in the aggregate documented in the aggregate score and narrative comments on score and narrative comments on the final evaluationthe final evaluation

75%75%

Completion of assignments totally Completion of assignments totally five points per semester; Quality five points per semester; Quality of field assignments including of field assignments including content, neatness, compliance content, neatness, compliance with directions for assignment, with directions for assignment, and compliance with established and compliance with established due dates due dates

25%25%

All required field hours, field All required field hours, field assignments, field hour verification, and assignments, field hour verification, and signed evaluations must be completed signed evaluations must be completed by the end of the semester unless an by the end of the semester unless an Incomplete RequestIncomplete Request has been submitted has been submitted and approved before the end of the and approved before the end of the semester. semester.

All field assignments must be All field assignments must be completed and turned in to the completed and turned in to the Field Liaison Field Liaison beforebefore the the completion of the final field hours.completion of the final field hours. Assignments will not be Assignments will not be accepted after the final accepted after the final evaluation is completed. evaluation is completed.

Failure to turn in all of the required Failure to turn in all of the required assignments will be reflected in the assignments will be reflected in the final grade reduction, according to final grade reduction, according to the percentages outlined in the the percentages outlined in the grading matrix. grading matrix.

The Learning Plan and Field Assignments The Learning Plan and Field Assignments must be completed and submitted within must be completed and submitted within the required time frames. the required time frames.

Field Assignments Field Assignments andand Learning Plans Learning Plans turned in late will affect the overall grade turned in late will affect the overall grade percentage in the Field Education Coursepercentage in the Field Education Course. .

Students who start the semester late will Students who start the semester late will need to work with their Field Liaison need to work with their Field Liaison regarding expectations related to Field regarding expectations related to Field Assignment due dates.Assignment due dates.

Field Education is a social work course where Field Education is a social work course where grades are assigned based on overall student grades are assigned based on overall student progress. progress.

Students do not all get A’s in the Field Course. Students do not all get A’s in the Field Course. Grades of B and B+ are acceptable grades and Grades of B and B+ are acceptable grades and indicate that the student has met the criteria for indicate that the student has met the criteria for the semester. the semester.

A grade of “A” is awarded only for those students A grade of “A” is awarded only for those students who have done exceptional work. who have done exceptional work.

A grade of B- isA grade of B- is notnot considered a passing considered a passing gradegrade for Field Education and requires that for Field Education and requires that students repeat the Field Course. This may impact students repeat the Field Course. This may impact a student’s completion of the social work program. a student’s completion of the social work program.

EvaluationsEvaluations

At both the Mid-Term and Final points of At both the Mid-Term and Final points of each semester, students will need to each semester, students will need to complete a Self-Evaluation of their field complete a Self-Evaluation of their field performance.performance.

Students must provide a narrative Students must provide a narrative summary outlining the details of their summary outlining the details of their performance in performance in allall rating categories on rating categories on their Mid-Term and Final Self-Evaluationstheir Mid-Term and Final Self-Evaluations

ExampleExample

Competency:Competency: Actively engages in supervision Actively engages in supervision utilizing HBSSW learning assignments, other utilizing HBSSW learning assignments, other opportunities within the agency, and through opportunities within the agency, and through weekly supervisory meetings weekly supervisory meetings

Summary: Student has maintained weekly Summary: Student has maintained weekly supervisory meetings throughout semester with supervisory meetings throughout semester with Field Instructor and has prepared in advance of Field Instructor and has prepared in advance of supervision. Student has completed two field supervision. Student has completed two field assignments totaling 3 points by Mid-Term and assignments totaling 3 points by Mid-Term and received positive feedback on both assignments received positive feedback on both assignments from Field Instructorfrom Field Instructor

Mid-Term Progress ReportMid-Term Progress Report

Students complete a Mid-Term Self-Evaluation briefly Students complete a Mid-Term Self-Evaluation briefly describing and assessing their progress in the practicumdescribing and assessing their progress in the practicum

Student submits the Self-Evaluation to the Field Instructor Student submits the Self-Evaluation to the Field Instructor who discusses the student’s self-assessment in supervisionwho discusses the student’s self-assessment in supervision

Field Instructor completes the Mid-Term Progress Report on Field Instructor completes the Mid-Term Progress Report on student’s progressstudent’s progress

Student submits both original evaluation documents to their Student submits both original evaluation documents to their Field Liaison Field Liaison

The Mid-Term Progress Report is The Mid-Term Progress Report is notnot graded, but rather graded, but rather serves as an early assessment tool for the remainder of the serves as an early assessment tool for the remainder of the semestersemester

Final EvaluationFinal Evaluation

The process for the completion of the Final Evaluations The process for the completion of the Final Evaluations (including the Student Self-Evaluation and the Field (including the Student Self-Evaluation and the Field Instructor’s Evaluation) is the same as the Mid-Term; Instructor’s Evaluation) is the same as the Mid-Term; however, more detailed information about the student’s however, more detailed information about the student’s performance is required.performance is required.

Students are required to document, in the comment section Students are required to document, in the comment section of each rating category, of each rating category, specificspecific competencies that they competencies that they have demonstrated which support the rating area selected.have demonstrated which support the rating area selected.

The Field Instructor The Field Instructor mustmust include narrative comments for include narrative comments for all categories that are all categories that are aboveabove or or belowbelow “meets “meets expectations.”expectations.”

Evaluation ScoresEvaluation Scores

The evaluative rating categories have The evaluative rating categories have corresponding built-in numerical scores which corresponding built-in numerical scores which are automatically (or manually) tabulatedare automatically (or manually) tabulated

The aggregate score on the evaluation The aggregate score on the evaluation constitutes 75% of the students final gradeconstitutes 75% of the students final grade

The remaining 25% of the grade is comprised The remaining 25% of the grade is comprised of the quality of the Field Assignments and of the quality of the Field Assignments and the student’s adherence to Field Program the student’s adherence to Field Program deadlines deadlines

ScoringScoring

Students who “Meet Expectations” in all categories Students who “Meet Expectations” in all categories would receive an equivalent final grade of “B” in would receive an equivalent final grade of “B” in their Field Practicum performance.their Field Practicum performance.

Students who “Exceed Expectations” in all Students who “Exceed Expectations” in all categories would receive an equivalent final grade categories would receive an equivalent final grade of “A” in their Field Practicum performance.of “A” in their Field Practicum performance.

Students who “Inconsistently Meet Expectations” or Students who “Inconsistently Meet Expectations” or ““Fail to Meet Expectations” in all categories would Fail to Meet Expectations” in all categories would

notnot receive a passing grade in their Field receive a passing grade in their Field Practicum.Practicum.

Evaluation Rating ScaleEvaluation Rating Scale

Rarely do students score above or below in all Rarely do students score above or below in all rating categories.rating categories.

Most students score differently across the Most students score differently across the array of categories and in most cases the array of categories and in most cases the aggregate score will average between a “B” aggregate score will average between a “B” and an “A.”and an “A.”

Not all students receive an “A” and a “B” is at Not all students receive an “A” and a “B” is at the expected level for the field education the expected level for the field education coursecourse

MID-TERM AND FINAL FIELD EDUCATION MID-TERM AND FINAL FIELD EDUCATION REQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTS

  

After completing ½ of the required field hours After completing ½ of the required field hours and ½ of the field assignments, students and and ½ of the field assignments, students and field instructors are required to complete the field instructors are required to complete the mid-term evaluations and submit them to the mid-term evaluations and submit them to the assigned Field Liaison. assigned Field Liaison.

The final evaluations are due when all required The final evaluations are due when all required hours and assignments are completehours and assignments are complete

Evaluations must have the original signatures Evaluations must have the original signatures of both student and Field Instructor of both student and Field Instructor

INSTRUCTION BEGINS FOR FIELD INSTRUCTION BEGINS FOR FIELD EDUCATION: EDUCATION:

Tuesday Tuesday January 22, 2008January 22, 2008

LEARNING PLAN:LEARNING PLAN: Please refer to the Please refer to the Field Course Objectives and sample Field Course Objectives and sample Learning Plans Learning Plans while completing this while completing this form with your Field Instructor.form with your Field Instructor.

After completing 40 After completing 40 hours of fieldhours of field

(approximately (approximately February 7February 7thth))

MID-SEMESTER PROGRESS MID-SEMESTER PROGRESS REPORTS DEADLINEREPORTS DEADLINE (both Instructor (both Instructor & student) & student)

After completing After completing halfhalf of field hours of field hours

FINAL EVALUATIONS DEADLINEFINAL EVALUATIONS DEADLINE (both Instructor & student)(both Instructor & student)

After completing After completing allall field hours and field hours and assignmentsassignments

LAST DAY OF FIELD EDUCATIONLAST DAY OF FIELD EDUCATIONThursdayThursday

May 8, 2008May 8, 2008

GRADUATE FIELD EDUCATION GRADUATE FIELD EDUCATION REQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTS   

FALL & SPRING SEMESTERS ONLY

721 & 722 Approximately 16 Hours per week 260 hours total per semester

821 & 822 Approximately 20 Hours per week 320 hours total per semester)

921 Approximately 22-27 hours/per week; Elective Semester of Field to be arranged with Field Director or Field Liaison for either two credits (260 hours) or three credits (320 hours)

 SUMMER SEMESTER ONLY

721 & 722 Approximately 22 hours/per week (260 hours total per semester) 821 & 822 Approximately 27 hours/per week (320 hours total per semester) 921 Approximately 22-27 hours/per week; Elective Semester of Field to be arranged with Field Director or Field Liaison for either two credits (260 hours) or three credits (320 hours)   

UNDERGRADUATE FIELD EDUCATION UNDERGRADUATE FIELD EDUCATION REQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTS

Spring and Fall semestersSpring and Fall semesters 421, 422, & 423 (elective course) 421, 422, & 423 (elective course)

Approximately 16 hours per week for 16 Approximately 16 hours per week for 16 weeks weeks

(256 total hours per semester) (256 total hours per semester)

Summer semesterSummer semester 421, 422, & 423 (elective course) 421, 422, & 423 (elective course)

Approximately 22 hours per week for 12 Approximately 22 hours per week for 12 weeks weeks

(256 total hours per semester)(256 total hours per semester)

Students must talk to their Field Instructor and Field Liaison about their inability to complete the Field Course hours before the end of the semester and request an Incomplete grade.

The Field Liaison and the Field Instructor must both be in agreement with the plan for the student to receive an Incomplete. An Incomplete is not automatic.

If the Incomplete is agreed upon before the end of the semester, the student is required to complete the Request for Field Course Incomplete document and submit to their Liaison for approval. The student must specify the anticipated date of course completion, which must be within UWM guidelines (Refer to policy in Field Manual).

Students must be registered for at least one credit in the semester in which they graduate. Therefore, the student’s last semester of Field Education coursework should not be taken as an Incomplete if at all possible to avoid additional tuition expenses.

Field Liaison ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

  

 Assigned to coordinate and oversee the field practicum experience Meets with student and Field Instructor at agency

Intervenes with agency if difficulties arise

Reviews completed learning plan, Field Assignments, and evaluations Assigns grade to student    ·       ·       

Field Instructor Requirements

MSW students

Field Instructors are required to have an MSW Degree with two years post-graduate social work employment, and one year of employment at the current agency.

BSW students

Field Instructors are required to have an MSW or BSW Degree with two years post-graduate social work employment and one year of employment at the current agency.

***In some circumstances an exception will be made to this requirement. Exceptions are addressed in the Field Education manual

   

Field Instructor Responsibilities

Provide educational supervision to students throughout the practicum experience

Provide weekly face-to-face supervision

Evaluate the student’s demonstration of social work competencies

in their Field Practicum as defined by the HBSSW Field Course

Objectives Work collaboratively with the HBSSW and adhere to the

educational requirements of the Social Work Field Education Program

STUDENT’S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY IN FIELD PRACTICUM

▲▲ Conduct self in a professional manner in all interactions with clients, agency staff, and community collaterals; pay special attention to voice mail messages and phone etiquette  ▲ Maintain strict rules of confidentiality  ▲ Discuss agency dress code with Field Instructor and adhere to dress code expectations  

▲ ▲ Learn and follow the agency operating proceduresLearn and follow the agency operating procedures   ▲▲ Be timely with attendance and assigned Be timely with attendance and assigned

responsibilities.responsibilities.

▲▲ Adhere to a consistent schedule. Students are Adhere to a consistent schedule. Students are expected to attend their Field Practicum according expected to attend their Field Practicum according

to to the schedule established at the beginning of the the schedule established at the beginning of the semester. A request for a schedule change must be semester. A request for a schedule change must be pre-approved by the agency Field Instructor and pre-approved by the agency Field Instructor and communicated to the Faculty Field Liaison.communicated to the Faculty Field Liaison.  

▲▲ Learn and follow standards for professional Learn and follow standards for professional boundaries and ethical behavior. Learn and boundaries and ethical behavior. Learn and adhere to NASW Code of Ethics.adhere to NASW Code of Ethics.

▲ ▲ Remember that trust and respect are always earned. Assume nothing and always ask permission to do things. When in doubt,

always ask for information, instruction, and

clarification

 ▲▲ Demonstrate sensitivity to differences in culture, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and political beliefs. ▲▲ Be responsible and accountable at all times.

▲▲ It is the student’s responsibility to check their It is the student’s responsibility to check their Panther e-mail daily. If you have an alternate Panther e-mail daily. If you have an alternate e-mail e-mail address, it is recommended that you have address, it is recommended that you have your your Panther-mailPanther-mail account forwarded to your account forwarded to your primary primary e-mail address. e-mail address.  

▲▲ Maintain accurate records of field hours

including dates and times; A field hour documentation form is available on

the field website  ▲▲ Use good organizational habits at field

practicum  ▲▲ Ensure all documents produced for agency

and HBSSW Field Program are prepared in a timely manner, accurately and professionally….Neatness does count!

  

SAFETY AND LIABILITY ISSUES IN FIELDSAFETY AND LIABILITY ISSUES IN FIELD

▲ Personal safety is your responsibility. Adhere to safety tips outlined in the Safety Brochure on Field Dept. website  ▲ UWM and the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare do not provide insurance coverage for a student’s use of a personal automobile during field placement  ▲ Field students are covered under professional liability insurance for the time they spend completing their field practicum hours when registered for their Field Course

 

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

The field of social work practice The field of social work practice offers tremendous opportunities to offers tremendous opportunities to experience situations not present in experience situations not present in other professions. other professions.

As a result of this dynamic social As a result of this dynamic social work students are often faced with work students are often faced with challenging and unfamiliar situations challenging and unfamiliar situations in the work place.in the work place.

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

It is the objective of the Field It is the objective of the Field Program to ensure that student’s Program to ensure that student’s have an optimal field practicum have an optimal field practicum experience experience

Remember that challenges within Remember that challenges within the field practicum are often rich the field practicum are often rich professional learning opportunitiesprofessional learning opportunities

Life’s most valuable lessons are Life’s most valuable lessons are learned from the most difficult learned from the most difficult and challenging experiences!and challenging experiences!

TAKE INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS TAKE INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS REGARDING YOUR FIELD PRACTICUM REGARDING YOUR FIELD PRACTICUM

WITH YOUR FIELD INSTRUCTORWITH YOUR FIELD INSTRUCTOR

  

√ √ Personal difficulties affecting field practicumPersonal difficulties affecting field practicum

√ √ Ethical issues in practicum Ethical issues in practicum

√ √ Concern about structure and/or frequency of Concern about structure and/or frequency of

supervisionsupervision

√ √ Concern over assigned tasks or dutiesConcern over assigned tasks or duties

√ √ Training concerns related to Training concerns related to assigned assigned

taskstasks

√ √ Insufficient weekly field practicum Insufficient weekly field practicum hours available to studenthours available to student

√ √ Difficulty with client populationDifficulty with client population

√ √ Safety issues in placementSafety issues in placement

√ √ Interpersonal difficulties with Field Interpersonal difficulties with Field Instructor or agency staff Instructor or agency staff

Clinical LicensureClinical Licensure

Graduate students in a clinical practicum Graduate students in a clinical practicum need to have theneed to have the “ “Clinical Verification Clinical Verification of Hours Form” of Hours Form” ((#2672#2672) completed and ) completed and signed at the end of their practicum. signed at the end of their practicum. Form #2672Form #2672 can be accessed off of Field can be accessed off of Field websitewebsite

Keep the signed form in a safe place and Keep the signed form in a safe place and submit with the LCSW application packet submit with the LCSW application packet

Self-CareSelf-Care

It is critical that students practice It is critical that students practice self-care during their Field Education self-care during their Field Education experience to avoid burn-out and experience to avoid burn-out and other stress related problems.other stress related problems.

Keep your Field Liaison apprised of Keep your Field Liaison apprised of your status and be pro-active in your status and be pro-active in getting help for yourself when getting help for yourself when necessary.necessary.

CONGRATULATIONS !CONGRATULATIONS !

You are about to embark on an exciting journey where you You are about to embark on an exciting journey where you will have an opportunity to:will have an opportunity to:

Be challenged in exciting waysBe challenged in exciting ways Grow professionallyGrow professionally Learn about the “nuts and bolts” in social work practiceLearn about the “nuts and bolts” in social work practice Learn about yourselfLearn about yourself Make a difference in the lives of othersMake a difference in the lives of others